WILLITS, CA., 6/23/26 — The 100th annual Willits Frontier Days kicked off with the Hometown Celebration on Main Street last week, and the next two weekends hold more community gatherings for the annual rodeo-centered string of events.
According to the Frontier Days website, the rodeo began in 1926 as a fundraiser to build a hospital in Willits. Now, there are several events surrounding the traditional rodeo that has now been carried on for a century.
Coming up on this year’s program are the truck pulls on Friday at the Jack Tharp Arena starting at 6 p.m., followed by the street dance featuring the Brody Stewart Band at the tennis courts starting at 9 p.m. Entrance to the truck pull is $25 for adults $15 for children 12 and under and children 2 or younger get in for free. The dance is free for everyone. The carnival also opens at 9 p.m. at the old ball field.
Saturday, the Western art show opens at 5 p.m. and will close on July 5. Entry to the art show is free.
On Sunday the sweetheart dinner will be at the rodeo grounds and adults eat for $30 (tickets are limited) and kids 12 and under eat for $10 each.
The big California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association rodeo will go down at the Jack Tharp Arena starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Box seats are $30, adults get in for $25, children 12 and under enter for $15 and children 2 and younger get in for free. Following the rodeo is the free Western dance featuring Chad Bushnell at the tennis courts starting at 9 p.m.
The Main Street parade will roll through downtown Willits at 11 a.m. on July 4 with a theme of “Year of the Sweethearts.”